Disintegration of the human mind

SOME people believe plays or novels can reveal insights into the author's life. And Crave, a play first performed a year before its writer Sarah Kane's tragic suicide, is no exception.

Sarah, who died in 1999, regarded Crave as the "most despairing of her plays", written at a time when she had "lost faith in love".

But Polly Agg-Manning, who is directing a production of the play at Exeter Northcott, does not want Sarah's depression and subsequent death to affect how her work is interpreted.

"She had depression, which is why people look into her plays and see a biography of her life," said Polly, 27. "But I don't think you should. She was an outstanding playwright, absolutely brilliant, and everyone should see her work."

Nine years after Sarah's death, Polly and the Northcott Community Company are bringing her fourth and penultimate play to life.

Crave maps the disintegration of the human mind — represented by unnamed characters in an unnamed place — under the pressure of love, loss and rejection.

It has no coherent storyline and its four characters interact through a series of poetic stories, monologues and dialogues. The characters are simply known as letters. Character A is an abuser, while M represents the maternal figure, possibly the mother of character C, a timid, tortured child. B is an addict.

With few stage directions, the play is open to interpretation, and Polly has chosen to set it at a party during the 1950s, where the characters have to wear masks.

The masks represent the social disguises some believe we present to the world, while hiding what is really going on inside.

Polly was inspired by the 1950s concept of the "ideal family", where everyone conforms to their set roles cheerfully, an idea critiqued by playwrights such as Arthur Miller. She said: "I wanted that happy face, where everyone is beautiful, and for it to contrast with what's going on inside."

The characters' disguises include big lipstick and big hair, to hide the fact that "inside, things are crumbling". Although there are four characters, this production has 18 cast members, and the characters are split between them.

Polly said: "I love Sarah Kane's work; I always have, ever since I was at drama school. It's something a bit different, a bit out there.

"I think it will appeal to everyone. It's realism as well. It's about how people are feeling. It is choreographed and stylised and people will take from it what they will. I hope people go in with an open mind and just enjoy it."

As well as five plays, Sarah Kane's other published work includes a short film, Skin, written for Channel 4, and two newspaper articles for The Guardian.

The performance will run until tomorrow and starts at 7.30pm. There will be a post-show discussion tonight. Tickets cost £10, or £5 for under-25s. Details: 01392 493493.